FORT KEARNY

The growth of overland emigration to Oregon after 1842 resulted
in the establishment of military posts across the West to protect
travelers. The first post, Fort Kearny, was established in the
spring of 1848 "near the head of the Grand Island" along
the Platte River by Lieutenant Daniel P. Woodbury. It was first
called Fort Childs, but in 1848 the post was renamed Fort Kearny
in honor of General Stephen Watts Kearny.

Despite its lack of fortifications, Fort Kearny served as way
station, sentinel post, supply depot, and message center for 49'ers
bound for California and homeseekers traveling to Oregon and the
Pacific Northwest. By the 1860s the fort had become a significant
state and freighting station and home station of the Pony Express.
During the Indian Wars of 1864-1865 a small stockade was apparently
built upon the earth embankment still visible. Although never
under attack, the post did serve as an outfitting depot for several
Indian campaigns.

One of the fort's final duties was the protection of workers
building the Union Pacific. In 1871, two years after the completion
of the transcontinental railroad, the fort was discontinued as
a military post. This site has been entered on the National Register
of Historic Places.